Eagles Wake-Up Call: Shurmur Vouches For Bradford

Pat Shurmur was Sam Bradford‘s offensive coordinator when the quarterback claimed Rookie of the Year honors back in 2010.

He left St. Louis the following season to become head coach of the Browns. But that year shared between Shurmur and the former Heisman winner proved valuable to Chip Kelly as he weighed whether to pull the trigger on a trade.

“I was able to give some insight to him: how he prepared, how hard he worked, what he was like as a quarterback behind center, what he was like as a leader, all the things that I think he is really, really good at,” said Shurmur.

“I certainly have a strong, good opinion of Sam and what he can accomplish. Had he been able to stay healthy, then he wouldn’t have been available for us. When the deal was getting made I kind of had my fingers crossed in the background that it was going to get done.”

Fans are now the ones with their fingers crossed, hoping that the assessments of Shurmur and company are spot on.

Bradford completed 60 percent of his throws for 3,512 yards and tossed 18 touchdowns to 15 interceptions his rookie year. Shurmur said the offense that season incorporated some no-huddle along with other concepts that worked for him at Oklahoma. Similarly, he expects this system to play to his strengths.

“He can function very well, he gets the ball out quickly, he’s very smart. He prepares and trains like all the great ones do, and we feel like he’s a really outstanding thrower to boot. Not to mention he’s a terrific athlete,” said Shurmur. “There’s kind of a three-pronged challenge for him: get better physically, learn what we’re doing mentally and then get out here and do it on the field tactically. In our minds, he’s doing a good job.”

Bradford is still working through the physical part. His rehab from a torn ACL has been slower-going the second time around, and he’s been limited during OTAs to this point. Shurmur, though, said the team is “very confident that he’ll be ready to go when it’s time to play for real.”

Just what type of personality will be guiding this team when that time comes?

“He’s got a quiet confidence. He sees things extremely well. And when he’s talking to the players, a couple words are enough for a wise man,” said Shurmur. “He’s not an overly boisterous guy but when he doesn’t like what’s going on, everybody around him will feel it, and I think that’s part of his leadership style.”

WHAT YOU MISSED

“We are out of the x-play business.” New DBs coach Cory Undlin is drawing rave reviews from the secondary.

The Eagles open up training camp on August 2, but won’t be opening it up much to the fans.

Duce Staley gushes about DeMarco Murray, disagrees with LeSean McCoy. Sheil has the story.

“I think he shares the thoughts of everyone in this building, that we have what it takes.” Teammates back up Byron Maxwell.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

The Eagles have finalized their scouting staff. More from Geoff Mosher.

The most significant move is the promotion of Trey Brown from West Coast scout to assistant director of college scouting.

Brown, entering his third season with the organization after three with the Patriots, will essentially assume the responsibilities held by former director of college scouting Anthony Patch, who was fired by vice president of pro personnel Ed Marynowitz during a front-office house cleaning after the draft.

According to league sources, Marynowitz first tried to hire former Ravens national scout Joe Douglas to be director of college scouting but Douglas recently accepted the same position with the Bears.

The Eagles won’t have an official “director,” but Brown’s promotion to assistant director gives him more prominence in the department.

McCoy apparently has had enough of the conversation he helped create. From ESPN.com.

Q: Sorry LeSean, you did raise some issues or concerns in regards to Chip in that interview that was published and made some intimations that perhaps you questioned the racial motivations behind Chip Kelly’s decisions on some player personnel, including you and DeSean [Jackson].

McCoy: “Do you just hear what I just said here?”

Reporter: I did.

McCoy: “So why did you … I just told you, I’m not talking no more about Chip Kelly or the Eagles. I’m done with that. You can ask me about the Bills. We look good. A lot of players are stepping up. The quarterbacks look wonderful. Myself, I’m playing well, along with the guys in the backfield. Just trying to get this team going here. I have nothing else to say about Chip or the Eagles. All right?”

COMING UP

More from our time with the assistant coaches.